Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-07-12
FERRIS OF THE DELP.
Rem arkabie story OF the Wreck or
the Steamship Herrimack.


HALIFAX. n. S., July 1.-THE story
OF the wreck of the steamer Me.rimacG,
~ told by several passengers who
arrived here tonight, is one OF the
most markable in the history of ma
line disasters. All tho people on the
steamer escaped a terrible fate, after
being driven ashore on a clear and
cloudless night, with the moon
and stars shining brightly; but,
according to their own assertions,
their baggage was riiled and a
number of valuable articles stolen
willie the owners we're on deck seeking
10 save their lives. The passengers
declare it as their conviction that these
dcprcdations were committed by mem
bers Of the crew, who, Immediately AZ
ter the ship struck, secured a cOnside-
rable quantity Of liquor, became
drunk, and created disgraceful
disturbance. The facts connected
with the disaster are related as
follows: Nearly all the passengers
were sound asleep, when suddenly
about 1890 O'Clock Saturday night
they were awakened by half a dozen
shrill whistles, followed Immediately
by ecveral heavy shocks aud tearing,
grinding sounds, as though the steamer
was forcing herw way over arOcky bottom.
Captain Crowell, the pilot, and two
officers were on deck when the
steamer struck, and so far as
learned could give no satisfactory
reason why they were SO close to the
coast The steamer was going at full
speed and she forced her way over the
rocks for fully five minutes. BY the
time she came TO stop all on board
were ont Of their berths, women and
children being huddled together
in the cabin. Undesirable confu-
sion and excitement prevailed, but
the efforts OF few men sue
ceedcd in restoring partial calmncss,
and the work of launching boats com
menccd Most OF tho men managed
TO get their clothes on, but the women
and children were too much excited t.
dress themselves, and when they were
taken from the steamer nearly all were
only half-clad 1t was while this scene
was being enacted that the pill
laying OF the passengers luggage
took place The st2te-roOms were
entered. yalscs torn or ripped
open, and any goods of value were re-
moved Jcwelry clothing, and other
articles disappeared, and when their
oVnGs. after ascertaining that the
vessel would not 90 down at Olc',
went 10 their rooms 10 secure thclr
property they found IT strown on th'
floor with the most valuable portion
gone. One passenger stated that he
lost about $500 worth IN this way,
while numerous others tell similar
stories.
At the same time number OF the
crew became suddenly drunk and got
INTO a dispute, which ended only when
they were compelled to abandon the
steamer in the boats which had been
launched by the aid OF other hands.
Eventually everybody was safely r.
moved from the vessel. The women
and children. numbering about sixty,
were put together in four boats, while
the male passengers and crow were pnt
IN three other boats and two lifr-ratt,.
While assisting in launching q boat
CAPTAIN Crowoll was dashed against
the smokc.stack by sudden lurch OF
the steamer and had several ribs
broken The accident, of course, rem
Gor,d him completely helpless, and he
had to be carried 10 boat. Once
on the water, which was quite
smooth. the lady passengers became
more calm. hut majorityof them we've
Frustrated from fear and quite III. The
four boats in which they had been
placed started for the mainland in
charge of the chief officer. and they
were all landed carly ia the morning at
GATHERINGS river, where they are nov
being cared for
After daylight tie men landed on tn"
island. hut not without considerable
difficulty and duugcr. Yesterday half
dozen men. including the Mcrri-
mack spurser, were Transferred to tine
mainland by dorics from an American
fishing schooner. and these carried the
first news Of the disaster Ia Liverpool.